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Tired of plain old plastic pots? Sure, they come in many colours, but they are still plastic. Let us take a look at some items that have "Pot Potential".
Just because we keep plants in the house doesn't mean we have to use plain old plastic pots. We all have many items laying around that can be used as pots for our house plants. Take a look around you and see what you might have. All you need is a drill bit. We used a regular bit and masking tape for the stoneware and ceramics. A diamond bit, and more experience than I have, is recommended for glass. Here are some things I have used to help give you a little inspiration.
This old crystal salad bowl, left, was my Mothers. It developed a hairline crack in the side rendering it useless for salads. Being shallow and clear it was the perfect home for some different cactus.
Can you guess what this used to be? Most of us use them and then toss them in the trash when finished. It was a seasonal, decorative scented candle in its past life. Now it is home to a nice little Haworthia.
This is a tea cup set on the left. The beauty of these is they can be found in any thrift shop. They also come with their own matching saucer!! The one pictured was my Grandmothers. Makes a pretty display for miniature African violets. I did not drill a hole in this one.
To the right is a Stoneware coffee cup. The coffee cups that come with dish sets are way to small for a decent cup of coffee anyways. Might as well use them for plants, again, they come complete with matching saucers. Aloe babies in this one. They make a great gift as well.
Does anybody really ever use candy dishes anymore? That's what the photo on the left is/was. Now, it is home to another cactus. If it weren't being used for plants, it would be relegated to the very back of a china cabinet somewhere, bored and forgotten.
Patience is the key to the drilling part. A slow, steady speed of the bit reduces breakage. We put masking tape on the inside of the area we are drilling. I only drill holes in the inexpensive, thrift store stoneware, ceramics and the candles. Yard sales are another good source, coffee cups with saucers, beer steins, tea cups, etc. can all be found "dirt" cheap.
If you are careful with a watering can the holes may not be needed, just remember that without drainage there is a greater possibility of roots rotting. The African Violets I plant in the China teacups are easy to monitor for watering needs. The same for the cactus, I can let them dry right out before watering again. The salad bowls and candy dishes are shallow enough to stick a finger in to test for moisture.
There you have it. Beautiful pots for your house plants.Take a look around and see what possibilities exist in your home. You might be surprised.
All photos in this article are my own.
About Lee Anne Stark
I am an avid gardener who shares my gardens with 2 other equally avid gardeners. I garden for fun and relaxation, never paying attention to the rules!! During the long, cold winter months I occupy my time playing with over a hundred house plants, my six cats and two dogs.
Posted by yllehs (from mumbai, India) on April 18, 2008 at 05:00 AM:
Hi, I have never tried using containers without holes, it seems like a great idea. Do you think I can plant adeniums in these containers.
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on April 18, 2008 at 03:17 PM:
If I remember correctly, aren't Adeniums fussy about their water?
When using a container with no drainage, you have to be super careful with your watering. They can easily drown or rot.
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Subject: Never thought of that!
Posted by CompostR (from south central, PA) on April 15, 2008 at 08:20 AM:
Thanks for a wonderful idea - pretty, practical, and money-saving too! Worth a trip to the Goodwill!
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Subject: I Absolutely Agree
Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on April 14, 2008 at 06:40 PM:
Many, many things can be used as pots and the thrift store is a good place to hunt for "pots." Also, estate sales are good sources. There have been times, and I am almost ashamed to admit to this, but there have been times when a nice item discarded on trash day has found it's way into my garden. Talk about trash to treasure.
I love the idea of the pvc and cap. That bed spring idea also sparked my interest.
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Subject: pot potential
Posted by jvdl1 (from Englewood, FL) on April 14, 2008 at 04:08 PM:
When my wife was raising African Violets she used colorful teapots (porcelain & ceramic) that she picked up at yard sales & flea market's, I made shelves on the window sills for them & they looked great.
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Subject: cup and saucer
Posted by fathead72 (from Tampa, FL) on April 14, 2008 at 03:58 PM:
Installed on top of a pvc pipe with right size pvc cap glued to bottom of saucer, for removal, fills the bill for feeding those small birds. My cardinal pair go to it every day.
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on April 14, 2008 at 04:09 PM:
Very cool idea!!
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Subject: converted planters
Posted by LouC (from Desoto, TX) on April 14, 2008 at 10:01 AM:
I have always loved anything but a real "pot". If the article must have a liner then I acquise but the old days of the Folger's can and anything else my great-grandmother could find still sparkles in my memory. Nothing is off limits.
Have a veggie garden for the first time in years and Mitch (a fellow writer for DG) brought a small mattress spring to use for the pole beans.
Thank you for reminding us that it is a lot of fun looking at an article with a new eye.
Christi
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Posted by adoresaiken (from Clemmons, NC) on April 14, 2008 at 02:32 PM:
Christi,
Another great idea! How clever and imaginative!
Pat
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Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on April 14, 2008 at 03:46 PM:
I agree! I love your articles Lee Anne!
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Posted by suzi_gardener (from Clinton, Canada) on April 15, 2008 at 11:06 AM:
Hi Lee Ann: Great article on using everyday items for plant pots. Don't stop there. You can use your imagination outdoors, too. I have seen people use lots of items that would have otherwise have gone to the dump. Plant up an old toilet, wringer washing machine (if you can find one), baskets, buckets, bird cages, baskets on old bicycles, take the seat out of an old wicker chair and replace it with a large pot of flowers. The list of things you can use is as endless as your imagination. The idea is to have fun!
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on April 15, 2008 at 11:11 AM:
hehe...be sure to watch for my upcoming article covering exactly that!!!
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Subject: Great ideas!
Posted by Yuska (from San Antonio, TX) on April 14, 2008 at 10:00 AM:
Thanks for sharing your ideas and suggestions. I too have odds and ends of china and glassware stuck away. Too good to toss, but I have problems setting anything out in accessible view. My five cats have the run of the house and I've not been able to train them to stay off shelves and tables. Oh, they know better, of course, but inquisitive acrobats that they are, they do a lot of exploring and then knock stuff around in the process. How do you manage behavior with your furry friends? And I'd like to know more about the drill you use. Yuska
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Posted by girlgroupgirl (from Atlanta, GA) on April 14, 2008 at 01:18 PM:
Nice article! I'm a pot-a-holic! All my planters are from the 40's, 50's and 60's and they often don't have a drainage hole. I guess they were really just for arranged flowers - but with some creative solutions and careful watering they work just fine.
The tea cup idea is adorable!
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Posted by adoresaiken (from Clemmons, NC) on April 14, 2008 at 02:29 PM:
I also love the teacup idea! I had never thought of that!
I am going to take a good look around when I clean my basement and see what new and creative containers I can come up with!
